Election Season Begins: Petition Filing Starts Monday

Monday is the first day for candidates to file petitions for the April 5, 2011 consolidated election.

In the Village of Romeoville, three trustee seats are up for grabs, along with the village clerk post. The four-year terms of trustees Linda Palmiter, Sue Micklevitz and Edward McCartan are set to expire in 2011.

Palmiter, currently serving her third term, said she plans to seek re-election. A Romeoville resident for more than 40 years, Palmiter said the proposed downtown redevelopment will be among her priorities if she's re-elected.

"We need to assure a good fit for that area and the residents who live there," Palmiter said, adding the beautification of the Route 53 corridor and planned rerouting of Normantown Road will also figure into plans for the redevelopment.

With a still-sluggish economy, a big challenge for trustees will be maintaining services without increasing the tax burden on residents, Palmiter added.

"I believe the next few years will continue to be lean ones and budgets will have to reflect this," she said.

Micklevitz, who was appointed two years ago to fill a vacant spot on the board, said she plans to seek a full four-year term. Like most residents, the village will have to tighten its belt during tough economic times, Micklevitz said.

"We must ensure that our residents are receiving the services that they deserve while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget," she said.

"Most of it is a balancing act," Micklevitz added.

When it comes to budgeting village dollars, "We can never be too liberal or too conservative in our approach," she added. "It is all about striking an appropriate a balance and the trick is determining what that balance is."

The village clerk position will also be filled in April. was appointed last month to serve the remainder of her late husband's term. Ray Holloway died in August after serving as village clerk since 2004.

Bernice Holloway said she plans to seek re-election.

Starting Dec. 13, candidates can file their petitions at Village Hall, 1050 W. Romeo Rd., from 9 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The deadline to file is Dec. 20.